Okay, leave it up to me to bring this up but I am so excited about the new R.E.M. album next month and even more excited that I'm seeing them two nights in a row, but what is with Q Tip being featured on one of the new songs "The Outsiders?" Should we worry?!

We survived KRS-1 on Out of Time so I think we'll be O.K. on this one, too.

Q-tip is an excellent rapper.

i still haven't heard the new single.....i'm livin in a cave......can't wait for it!! has anyone here already heard it???

"Leaving New York" is wonderful, especially the duel Michael Stipe vocals with Mills heard briefly in the back.The song is a mix of the sound of "Reveal" with a little old R.E.M. like "Fables" (in my opinion). Wow, I analyzed this song way too much. Ah, the life of a boring teacher.

And, though I am not a rap connoisseur, the thought of rapping in an R.E.M. song sounds hysterical. I'm sure Q Tip is wonderful at what he does, it is just an odd thing to think about.

Didn't Q-Tip do the rap verse on "Groove is in the Heart" by Dee-Lite? Damn, that's a good song.

Yes. And Bootsy Collins played bass on it. And yes, it is a damn good song.

DIG!

Again, didn't you hear "Radio Song" back in the day? KRS-ONE is/was a good rapper too, but his part on that track is absolutely ridiculous. Basically, he ruined an otherwise great R.E.M. song. I mean, it was laughable then, not to mention now.

And you'd think R.E.M. would've learned their lesson, but apparently they have not. Yes, Q is a great rapper - the Tribe are first ballot hall-of-famers, for sure - but I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say that this collaboration will probably be equally laughable.

Some music just doesn't fuse well with rap.

I have all the REM b-sides and all the albums and numerous bootlegs, and I'm not looking forward to this. I liked Reveal when it came out, but now I'm not sure how I feel about it. I want to like so many of those albums that I used to love of theirs, but it just doesn't do it for me anymore. I'll buy it (if I don't hear and hate someone else's copy first...), but there's no flare of excitement for them anymore except feelings of loyalty and obligation.

I'm sorry that you aren't excited but I do hope this album surprises everyone. I didn't like Reveal as much when it first came out but it has grown on me.
And I remember Radio Song, I just didn't want to bring it up. That is one of my least favorite songs, along with Stand b/c the radio stations in Chattanooga believe that is the ONLY song R.E.M. has ever done. I like both songs b/c they are R.E.M. and I am one of those fans who believes if you are a fan of something or someone you like everything they do, you just don't like everything equally. Either way, I hope this album is as much as I expect and I know I will enjoy it, but the rap thing (despite the talent of the rapper in speaking) may not mesh well with R.E.M.'s sound.

i remember when my mom bought my brother and i "out of time" and thinking it was the the greatest thing since sliced bread.....i was 11 i think....even then....i didn't like the rapping (if that is what you call it ) on Radio Song....but i love the song itself......just that last part always makes me cringe in a way....

anways....I'M excited about the new record....i ahven't had a problem with any REM record yet...i like them all in different ways....they always manage to keep me interested and on my toes....

while i'm being reminiscent......when "new adventures in hi-fi" came out...i remember thinking..."this one is going to be great!" it blew my mind! the day it came out my brother and i went to the nearest music store to buy it....we loved it so much...we played it over and over and over again....now this isn't much of a story but...everytime a band i feel very attached to...(like sonic youth) puts out a record....i always think back to that day.....the excitement...the anticipation...alot like the other night at the record release show.....i'm that happy REM is still pumping them out left and right....it makes me very happy.....

ok...i'll stop now.....

(Edited by ghostflower at 11:40 pm on Sep. 16, 2004)

Reveal was the best R.E.M. album since Automatic for the People (which could never be topped, anyway). It was my favorite album of 2001. So I have pretty high hopes for the new one.

That was my senior quote. . . even people who knew me were confused, but I imagine somebody got it.

Q-tip is prolific, he's had his swab in all sorts of things. . .

blah

(Edited by andrewjsmithson at 9:21 pm on Sep. 19, 2004)

I'm excited about it... from the clips that I've heard I'm getting a "New Adventures In Hifi" feel from it. (Bring on "Leave" and "So Fast So Numb!")

I'm not if this was discussed, but you can preview the entire album on myspace.

i'm listening to it on myspace right now, actually. it sort of sounds alright, but as someone once pointed out to me, michael stipe can just warble any old tune over any old music and it sounds good. his voice is just so damned interesting.

q-tip's contributions are minor and...less bewildering than they might have been.

Good God I love the new album. I listened to some of it today before we had a meeting with a parent who blissed us out b/c we aren't calling her EVERY FUCKING DAY about what her kid is doing. Anyway, listening to R.E.M.'s new album made that teacher/parent meeting tolerable. It does remind me of New Adventures in Hi-Fi, love it, love it, love it.

The first of the opening track makes me feel like I'm listening to "Dream On" by Aerosmith.

And I agree with Andrew J about Michael Stipe's voice.

after a few listens on myspace....i like it....its different...it really is....i like the mellow vibe......now i can't wait to hear them live.....

(Edited by ghostflower at 12:51 am on Sep. 23, 2004)

I'm enjoying the cd quite a bit... the only thing that is somewhat of a disappointment is that there isn't quite as much melody as there used to be. I'm still enjoying it because REM is one of my favorite bands of all time and I don't think you can go wrong with them. It's not their best album, but it's definitely not near the bottom either.